Penn State Altoona faculty and staff members were honored for their exemplary work and outstanding contributions during the annual Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony held May 2 on campus.
ALTOONA, Pa. — Penn State Altoona faculty and staff members were honored for their exemplary work and outstanding contributions during the annual Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony held May 2 on campus. Nominated by the college community and selected by an awards committee, several faculty and staff members received awards unique to Penn State Altoona. Retirees also were recognized.
Athleen J. Stere Teaching Award
- Kyle King, assistant professor of English
The Athleen J. Stere Teaching Award recognizes dedication to students, passion and enthusiasm for teaching, innovative teaching methods, and demonstrated, sustained excellence in teaching. The award honors Athleen J. Stere, who offered nearly four decades of distinguished teaching and service to Penn State Altoona.
Outstanding Lecturer Award
- Iwona Dorabiala, part-time instructor in history
The Outstanding Lecturer Award recognizes excellent teaching by members of the Penn State Altoona adjunct faculty.
Fred Allen Womack and Frances Sue Zimmerman Womack Book Award
- Brian Onishi, assistant professor of philosophy
This award was made possible by contributions from Steve Sheetz and Kenneth Womack. Each year, Penn State Altoona seeks to recognize and honor distinguished contributions of the faculty through presentation of the Fred Allen Womack and Frances Sue Zimmerman Womack Book Award.
Outstanding Achievement in Research and Creative Activity
- Jeff Moore, associate professor of mechanical engineering
Rather than a career achievement award, the Outstanding Achievement in Research and Creativity Award recognizes distinctive research, scholarship or creative activity of a faculty member in any field or discipline achieved in the recent past, i.e., during the prior two to three years.
Outstanding Achievement in Research and Creative Activity Mentoring Award
- Ed Levri, professor of biology; head of the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences; interim head of the Division of Business, Engineering, and Information Sciences and Technology
The Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Mentoring Award recognizes mentors of undergraduate students who have demonstrated excellence in the mentoring process, as evidenced by their impact on, and the outcomes of, their mentee’s personal and professional development in the discipline.
Grace D. Long Faculty Excellence Award
- Paula J. Kustenbauder, assistant teaching professor of nursing
- Christine McCombie, instructor in nursing
The Grace D. Long Faculty Excellence Award was created to recognize two faculty members who, by their performance as teachers and their work in the areas of advising, scholarship, research and service, demonstrate excellence in their profession.
Ted J. Long Staff Excellence Awards
- Dani Fry, associate director of student affairs and director of the Center for Student and Civic Engagement
- Gregory Hatch, lab research technician in physics and geosciences
- Lynette Grager, janitorial worker in facilities and operations
The Ted J. Long Staff Excellence Award was created to recognize three members of the Penn State Altoona staff who, by their job performance, exhibit outstanding professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm in support of the college.
Barbara Long Beck Endowed Excellence Awards
- Tracy Kephart, instructor in nursing
- Ryan Costanzo, academic adviser in nursing
The Barbara Long Beck Endowed Excellence Award was created in 2006 to honor and recognize outstanding achievement by a faculty member and staff member of Penn State Altoona who represent the field of nursing. The award was established by Kimberly M. Kennedy in memory of her mother, Barbara Long Beck, who was a loyal friend and devoted supporter of Penn State Altoona. The award celebrates Beck’s commitment to higher education and the nursing profession.
